Paul Mikkola, of Bedford, is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Service Award from Michigan Technological University.

The award was presented to Mikkola by Michigan Technological University Alumni board of directors at its annual alumni dinner and awards ceremony on Aug. 4.

Paul Mikkola ’66 ’89 earned a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering and an honorary doctorate from Michigan Tech. Mikkola worked at General Motors for 35 years. He was the GM-Michigan Tech University relations coordinator and director of advanced manufacturing engineering and hired more than 500 engineering graduates. He later became the president and CEO of Metal Casting Technology, Inc. (a GM/Hitchiner Manufacturing Corporation joint venture company) before retiring in 2008.

He was named a Fellow of American Society for Metals International; member of the American Foundry Society and their national president 2007-2009; Michigan Tech Fund board life trustee, as well as a member of the College of Engineering Advisory Board. He received the American Foundry Society Gold Medal in 2000 and the E.J. Walsh Award by the Foundry Education Foundation in 2006. Mikkola is also a member of Michigan Tech’s Academy of Materials Science and Engineering.

The outstanding service award is presented to alumni and friends making significant contributions to the success of the alumni board of directors and/or the University.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 60 countries around the world.

Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering and technology, as well as forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics and social sciences.